Film Festival Organizer Says a Group of Mexican Actresses Tried to Keep Yalitza Aparicio From Being Nominated for Prestigious Award

UPDATE (February 15, 11am ET): Critically acclaimed Mexican film director María José Cuevas corroborated Rossana Barro’s story on social media. When asked if it could be true, she said “Sí. Confirmado por varios lados,” which roughly translates to “Yes. Confirmed through various sides.”

In addition, a new and unconnected story of a social media video showing actor Sergio Goyri calling Aparicio a “pinche india” (a f*cking Indian) has gone viral in Mexico on Friday, Mexico.com reported. Just another example of racism against the Oscar-nominated actress?

ORIGINAL STORY, PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 12

Rossana Barro, who works with The Morelia International Film Festival, revealed on Twitter that there’s a chat group with Mexican actresses ready to ask the Mexican Film Academy (AMCC) to keep Yalitza Aparicio from being nominated for its awards. The Mexican news website Sin Embargo reported on this story, stating that the Ariel —the award that the women tried to keep Yalitza from being nominated for— is the most prestigious in Mexico.

Aparicio is the breakout star of Roma, and has become the first indigenous woman to be nominated for the Oscar’s in the category of Best Actress. Barro said that she thinks the AMCCA will not give in to such demands.

Aparicio has broken barriers for indigenous women in Mexico by appearing on the cover of Vogue Mexico, and speaking up on issues of representation. Recently she told Teen Vogue, “What I would like to see is for more of that diversity to be represented, for there to be more of those faces that you’d see and live with in your day-to-day. For example, for me, growing up, I never got to see people who looked like me or like any other people that I grew up with.”

23 responses to “Film Festival Organizer Says a Group of Mexican Actresses Tried to Keep Yalitza Aparicio From Being Nominated for Prestigious Award”

I’m an American of Mexican descent and I’m ashamed of those Mexican actresses who want to stop this wonderful indigenous woman from receiving an award. It is jealousy, envy and mean girl behavior. Shame on you Mexican actresses!

Because she is an educator, Yalitza Aparicio knows how to fend all this negative commentary away. She is a true professional and a gorgeous actress. It’s about time we see someone like her on the big screen. I wish her the best of luck and hope she knows she makes many of us proud. Adelante Yalitza!

I can believe it. There is Racism here in . Mexico. This Movie Roma is a triumph. One of the most fabulous movies of all time because finally shows the plight of women in this heavily sexist racist culture. Both rich and poor. I cannot express how much I loved this movie. You darling talented brave woman deserve all the recognition and praise in the world. Be proud. Your a star and we adore you and your people. Bravo bravo.

All those Mexican actresses who have denounced Yalitza will surely get their Bad KARMA. Obviously they are Pathetic Jealous and are full of darkness in their hearts. Face it Roma is the Movie of the Year and you evil actrsses were never nominated at the Oscars so sit down and be kind to the true Indigenous Mexicans!